A £300 monthly budget for your car is a great starting point, giving you the choice of a good few brand-new cars. But, like any budget, you’ll get much more for your money by buying used.
Sure enough, some of these cars will make your neighbours think you’ve spent a lot more than you actually have. You’ll find high-end petrol, hybrid and electric options, as well as hot hatchbacks and fantastic family SUVs for your budget.
For even more options, browse our wide range of cars under £300 per month or our selection of cars for £299 or less with a £299 deposit.
Want something that still feels like a brand-new car?
We have a huge range of 75-plate and 25-plate cars for under £300 per month, including the Hyundai i20, MG3 Hybrid, Nissan Juke, Vauxhall Mokka and Ford Puma.
Hyundai Tucson
Not content to be an 'also-ran', the Hyundai Tucson has some of the boldest styling in the family SUV class to stand out. It's not just an eye-catching face either, with a super-spacious cabin that has enough room for six-footers to fully stretch out, plus plenty of boot space. There are pin-sharp screens for the centre infotainment system and the driver's dials, and all cars come very well equipped from the factory. All engines have enough grunt to move the Tucson weight around easily, and you'll find fuel-sipping full-hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines further up the range.
If you're comparing the Hyundai Tucson against the Kia Sportage, you'll typically find that the Hyundai is cheaper as a used car but just as talented.
Shop used Hyundai Tucson cars for sale or read our Hyundai Tucson review
Ford Kuga
If you want a practical car that still handles nicely, get yourself a Ford Kuga. It’s probably the best midsize SUV to drive, with direct steering and eager engines – and there’s also a hybrid version that squeezes into this budget at the time of writing. But the Kuga also does the family stuff well, with lots of rear-seat space and a boot that’s usefully larger than the Focus hatchback.
While you can get an entry-level Kuga for closer to £250 a month, spending that little bit extra gets you a huge choice of versions and lower-mileage cars. Titanium has all the kit covered – there’s a reversing camera, a digital dashboard, multi-zone climate control and a fancy B&O sound system.
Shop used Ford Kuga cars for sale or read our Ford Kuga review
Cupra Formentor
The Cupra Formentor might be based on the same platform as the VW Golf and Skoda Octavia, but it hides it well with eye-catching looks and nimble handling. It manages to feel rewarding and stable at the same time, and relishes darty back roads just as much as motorway cruising. The Formentor is peppered with copper touches inside and out, which gives the car a premium and contemporary feel. Despite its sleek shape, there's plenty of passenger space and a big boot, so it does the sensible stuff well.
Shop used Cupra Formentor cars for sale or read our Cupra Formentor review
Kia Niro
Sports cars don’t get everyone’s juices flowing so, if you’d rather push yourself to get the best possible fuel economy, the Kia Niro is a top choice. Kia says it’ll do 64mpg, which is pretty impressive given that the Niro is an SUV with space for your family and friends. Every Niro has an electric motor, an automatic gearbox and an allergy to using lots of petrol – your choice is hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full electric.
The Niro has been thoroughly developed to be easy to live with. It drives obediently, it’s quiet and comfortable, has the balance of a seven-year warranty and lots of equipment to take the boredom away – including adaptive cruise control, digital dials and Apple CarPlay.
Shop used Kia Niro cars for sale or read our Kia Niro review
Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Ioniq 5 has been on sale for a few years now, but it still looks radical and otherworldly. It’s also one of our favourite electric family cars, with plenty of space – it’s bigger than it looks in pictures – and a big boot. The calming yet high-tech interior is a wonderful place to spend time, and the Ioniq 5’s smooth driving experience is top notch.
Consider its many plus points and it’s astonishing that you can get a big-battery Ioniq 5 on your driveway for under £300 per month. Less than £250 if you can live with the smaller battery and its near-200-mile real-world range.
Shop used Hyundai Ioniq 5 cars for sale or read our Hyundai Ioniq 5 review
Tesla Model 3
Tesla has transformed the car market, and its Model 3 has been a smash-hit success. It's easy to see why – the Model 3 boasts sporty handling, a futuristic and high-tech interior, excellent interior space and big range figures. Speaking of which, you can find Standard RWD and Long Range AWD models for sale for under £300 per month; we'd probably go for the latter because it offers more range and much better performance. More really is more.
Long Range versions officially manage over 350 miles to a charge in mixed driving. Even on the motorway, you can expect around 250 miles – making the Model 3 an excellent long-distance companion. And when you do need to re-juice, you've got priority access to the Tesla Supercharger network, which is fast, reliable and easy.
Shop used Tesla Model 3 cars for sale or read our Tesla Model 3 review
Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan is the absolute do-it-all family SUV. It’s not the cheapest, but it feels like good value and you’re definitely getting what you pay for – namely premium materials that are screwed well together, a huge amount of space and economical engines. The Tiguan also exudes confidence from behind the wheel, whether you’re flying down the motorway or treading carefully through unsighted country lanes.
If you end up with a Tiguan in entry-level Life trim, you’ll get a hotlist of equipment including LED headlights, parking sensors at each end and adaptive cruise control. Either of the 150hp engines – diesel or petrol – are strong choices for powering the Tiguan.
Shop used Volkswagen Tiguan cars for sale or read our review of the 2016-2024 Volkswagen Tiguan
Mercedes CLA
The Mercedes CLA looks stylish and expensive, yet you can nab a used example for similar money to an Audi A1 or Toyota Yaris. There’s a big touchscreen as standard, and a superb-looking interior that oozes premium appeal. The promise of 45mpg from the CLA 200 petrol engine means this is one Merc that won’t cost a lot to run. This shape of CLA only comes with an easy automatic gearbox, which adds to the posh feel.
Shop used Mercedes CLA cars for sale or read our Mercedes CLA review
Mazda CX-5
You might’ve considered the usual midsize SUV suspects, but go a bit left-field and there are still some gems to be found. The Mazda CX-5 should be on your list if you don’t quite fancy a Tiguan or Tucson, with its athletic styling, family-friendly practicality and an interior that boasts the same sort of quality you get in an Audi or BMW.
The CX-5 offers pretty decent value for money as well – you’ll get more equipment in a Mazda than in many rivals. And everything’s wrapped up in an interior that’s a delight to use and easy to get on with.
Shop used Mazda CX-5 cars for sale or read our Mazda CX-5 review
Toyota Yaris Cross
While the standard Yaris has plenty of plus points, practicality isn’t one – it’s a bit tight in the back and the boot could be bigger. Addressing both of those drawbacks is the Toyota Yaris Cross, which also gains a higher ride height and 4x4-inspired styling. That’s every box in small SUV bingo ticked. The Yaris Cross isn’t finished impressing you, though – it’s even possible to see more than 70mpg around town, and rides nicely over typically British roads.
Shop used Toyota Yaris Cross cars for sale or read our Toyota Yaris Cross review
Read our top picks for other monthly budgets
- 10 of the best cars for under £150 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £200 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £250 per month
- 10 of the best cars for under £400 per month
Affordable finance on used cars
Check out Motorpoint's huge selection of nearly new and used cars, all with a range of flexible finance options.
